The unknown man pants and tried to heal his wounds using the power gifted to him by the special being who kept talking to him.

"I didn't know he was that strong!" he exclaimed in frustration as he lay on his back on the floor. "He was always fooling around the Master, playing house and all, yet he had that much power?! What the hell is this!?"

"Fufu, it seems that youngling made a mess of you," a voice suddenly appeared inside his head.

"Did you know about this?" he asked.

"Why, yes. Of course, I know that child," the voice chuckled. "It seems these chains I lent you will no longer restrict him."

"What do you mean?"

"Cale Henituse will only get stronger and stronger as this continues. If I'd known Barrow would have trouble controlling his affection towards him, I shouldn't have messed with his soul," the voice sighed.

The unknown man didn't understand. He couldn't comprehend what the special being wanted to say.

"I can't disclose to you what he is. I just want you to make a mess out of him. I already have Barrow distracting him, so I want you to make it worse."

"I want you to tell Barrow ..."

** **

Cale was sleeping peacefully inside his room in the Henituse Manor. The red dragon knew that his own home would make Cale at ease. Youna was sitting beside Cale, he didn't bother changing his bloodied clothes yet. He saw him in that state again, he was afraid Cale would sleep his life away again.

"What happened, Youna-nim?" Bassen worriedly asked.

"Cale fought the enemies, forcing his way out of their shackles. The same chains restricted him from escaping before, so I could conclude that it was difficult to remove," Youna honestly answered.

"But, he increased his power to remove the shackles from him. I am worried that he might have overexerted himself again like what he did when you got kidnapped," Youna added as he clenched his fists and teeth.

Bassen gave the sleeping Cale a worried look, then he looked at Youna who was making a pained expression. He is a dragon yet he was showing compassion to a human being who has been with him for as long as Bassen could remember.

"You truly love my brother, Youna-nim," Bassen tenderly commented.

Youna didn't answer, but he knew it himself. Of course, he loves Cale. He was the only human he ever cared for from the moment he hatched. Stories of him from the green dragon was the reason why he was so interested with Cale. Maybe it was attachment to him after learning Youna and Raon were both saved by Cale when they were still inside their eggs.

Youna knew Cale wasn't human anymore, that was why he was even more worried. A lot of what ifs were running through his head. What if Cale suddenly disappears one day? What if Cale leaves him and goes somewhere he can no longer reach? He wanted Cale to stay. He wanted him to be with him for as long as he will live.

"Youna-nim, my brother won't like it if he sees you like this," Bassen said.

The red dragon looked at him, then looked back at Cale. He stood and decided to clean himself first. Bassen remained by his brother's side.

"Hyung, why do you keep making trouble for yourself? A lot of people are worried for you," Bassen questioned, not expecting an answer.

Bassen knew the nature of his brother, from the moment he met him until today, nothing has changed. His brother is still the kindest brother he always knew and had.

Cale fluttered his eyes open as he sat up carefully, he felt his body was a mess from pain. There was a limit to how much power he could use in the mortal realm. A living god residing and mingling with humans is something the divine will never allow. He was only allowed to do it because he was professing himself as a human being, until he unleashed his full strength just now.

"Hyung, are you alright?" Bassen's words reached Cale's ears.

"Bassen ... Yes, I am alright," Cale answered.

Seeing his younger brother here, Cale examined the room and realized he was inside his bedroom.

Youna must have taken me here to rest, Cale thought.

"Hyung, Mother and Father are worried about you. Just earlier, you appeared in front of us then disappeared again. Then, you come back collapsed in the arms of your dragon friend," Bassen said. He was frustrated. He was frustrated by the fact that his brother never relied on the people around him.

"Basse—" his words were cut off when Bassen's tears fell.

"Why do you keep doing this, hyung? Everyone has been worried about you and you just do whatever you want. If we prohibit you from doing anything, we will find you sneaking out and doing what you want to do!" Bassen snapped.

Cale was surprised. Even when he was acting trash in his first timeline, Bassen never raised his voice. His brother never complained about whatever he did.

"You don't even see how people are worried about you! You don't know how much our Mother and Father were thinking about you when you got kidnapped, then you will come back looking like you're about to die!"

Cale felt guilty. If he were to choose, he wouldn't choose to be like this. He just had no choice. He also wanted to spend his time leisurely with his family without any troubles; however, they are living in a world where war threatens the peace. As a being who knew of the future, he wanted to protect his family he failed to protect the first time.

He could never reveal what he is. He could never disclose what he knows. Cale tried to reach out to Bassen but he retracted his hand. His brother saw it, so he took Cale's hand instead which surprised the redhead.

"Hyung, please rely on the people around you. Please share your burdens with us, even if it's not me, how about relying on your friends who are still waiting and supporting you," Bassen pleaded.

"We may not be as strong as you or your dragons, but we can help you in any way. Just please don't shoulder it alone," Bassen added. "Hyung, you are not alone."

"Bassen," Cale called as he pulled his brother for a hug. "I'm sorry I made you worry."

Cale's body was smaller compared to Bassen's, who got taller over the years they were not together. The younger brother hugged him tightly.

"I-I thought I'll never see you again," Bassen sobbed.

"I'm sorry," was Cale's response.

Cale consoled his younger brother. Bassen cried and complained with everything Cale had done to worry him. The redhead chuckled at most of them so Bassen scolded him more. It was a weird feeling that his younger brother was scolding him like this. Previously, Bassen never cared like how Cale pretended not to care for them.

After ten minutes of Bassen's crying and scolding, the younger brother let go of his brother. Cale laughed how his brother looked like a puffer fish after crying out like that.

"Thank you, Bassen," Cale smiled kindly.

"Be prepared, Father and Mother will tell you a piece of their minds," Bassen warned as he left Cale's room.

Consequently, Youna entered his room with a gloomy expression. Cale more or less guessed why and he knew he was the reason.

"Cale, be honest with me," Youna started. "What's going on with you?"

"Youna ... What do you mean?"

"Don't try to fool me! I could feel that your power is increasing by the second. You already told me what you are, please tell me what is going on with you!"

Cale was taken aback. He didn't know Youna will look more cornered than he was being attacked earlier. Cale sighed, which made the red dragon flinch.

"Youna, I want you to listen to me. No matter what I tell you, it is the truth. I am entrusting this information to you because I know you will never betray me," Cale sounded serious.

Youna remained silent.

** **

It took one week for Choi Han and the others to wrap up everything that happened in the Gorge of Death, the allied leaders gathered and talked about their next steps. There were things they wanted to raise but other leaders let it go and decided to see what unfolds in the future.

Due to what happened, most of the events that occurred during Cale's and Choi Han's first timeline didn't happen. Choi Han was baffled, he didn't know that Cale's meddling would make everything different. Now, the people proclaimed as heroes were on their way back to the Henituse Territory. They wanted to check up on Cale, since the dragons already went back there and Cale never appeared after the war in Gorge of Death.

Cale was leisurely relaxing inside his greenhouse that has been tended properly. Ever since he came back, both his Mother and Father scolded him. Then, he got scolded by her younger sister. Imagine how tiring it was for Cale.

Cale didn't know that they'd be that worried. Having someone get worried for you was something the redhead couldn't get used to. As for Youna and Cale's conversation a week ago, the red dragon hasn't shown himself ever since. Cale was saddened by his reaction, but he couldn't control their emotions.

Raon and the children were all residing in the Harris Village, since Eruhaben was also there overseeing their growth. They will only go to the Henituse Manor if they want to visit Cale.

After seeing the other world's events, Cale didn't really bother getting close to the people his other selves saved. He just saved them in this world because he already knew of their situation, his heart wouldn't take it if he let them die.

All beings are precious. That was the first lesson he was taught by Gaia when he was learning his powers, not knowing he will be replacing the said goddess. Cale was grateful that he has another power that could help him, but he didn't appreciate being a replacement.

While he was daydreaming, Hans entered the greenhouse and informed him about some guests.

"It's been a while, Young Master Cale," Rosalyn cheerfully greeted.

"It certainly is, Miss Rosalyn," Cale greeted back.

"Where's Olienne-nim and Youna-nim?"

"They went somewhere to rest."

"What seems to be the reason for your visit?" Cale asked.

"We just wanted to check up on you!" Rosalyn answered.

Ron, Vicross, and Choi Han remained quiet as they silently observed Cale. The redhead certainly changed in some aspects, but they were actually bothered by how short he is! Cale remained as tall as his fifteen years old self. He looked younger compared to his actual age. Even Choi Han was wondering because the Cale he knew of was almost as tall as him, but this Cale in front of him was way shorter compared to that.

After some small talks, Rosalyn departed. Choi Han left for a while to give Ron and Vicross time to talk to their former young master.

"Young Master, it's been a while," Ron bowed.

"Ron and Vicross-hyung, yes. It's been a while. How have you been?" Cale asked.

"We're doing fine thanks to you."

"Young Master, we apologize for leaving you while you were sleeping a couple of years ago," Ron sincerely apologized.

"Choi Han invited us to join him in attacking the ARM Organization. I presume you already know their identity," Ron added.

"I have known their existence way before they launched an attack on Harris Village," Cale truthfully answered. Because of this, both Ron and Vicross were surprised.

All this time, Cale knew about them. So that time where Cale was cradled in ARM's cloak was something he already knew that they were his enemies. Maybe that was the reason why Cale kept having nightmares after meeting them.

Ron smiled benignly.

"Young Master, would it be alright if we continue serving you again?"

"Ron. Vicross-hyung, I know that serving me isn't something you should continue doing. I know who you are, I know your goals are. You already left me to achieve this goal, you should just work hard in obtaining that," Cale responded.

Cale was looking at them straight in the eye, this made both Ron and Vicross smile.

"The Young Master is no longer a puppy it seems," Ron smiled.

"H-Huh? A p-puppy?" Cale made a funny, confused expression.

Then, before Cale could react to that comment, he felt the firm yet warm hand of his former butler on his head. Gently caressing and ruffling his hair.

"The Young Master has truly grown, this old Ron has never been happy," Ron said.

Cale's heart began to beat faster. Compared to his first timeline where Vicross came to him and told him about the news of Ron's death, this time Ron was smiling in front of him. Vicross doesn't look like he was suffering as well. Cale's eyes became watery, which made the father and son duo chuckle as they both sat on each side.

Vicross placed a gentle hand on Cale's back, while Ron gently caressed his head. Cale was crying because his human heart was healed with the warmth these two cold people were showing him. When he was a child, he didn't mind their existence that much because he believed they would leave him and never come back. This time, they came back alive.

"Thank you for being alive and coming back," Cale muttered, which didn't go unheard.

Ron and Vicross smiled as they gave the smaller figure a warm hug.

They talked for a while and somehow, one way or another, Cale managed to make their expression dim. Who wouldn't after implied he somehow enjoyed the food served there so he didn't really force himself to escape? Now, the now grown puppy Cale should be taught a lesson.

That night, Cale had to eat a full meal cooked by Vicross and drink the most sour lemon tea Ron ever made.

"What did I do to deserve this lemon tea, Ron?!" Cale cried as he ate the delicious food Vicross prepared and reluctantly drank the tea.

"There's more to come, Young Master," Ron smiled benignly.

"AAHHH, you weren't this bold before!" Cale complained.

Vicross and Ron just smiled at him.

In the middle of the night, while Cale was preparing himself to sleep, Choi Han entered his bedroom using the window.

"Cale," Choi Han called.

"Choi Han, what are you doing here? I thought you left?" Cale asked.

Seeing Choi Han's expression made Cale sigh.

"If you're here to scold me too, please don't. I already have enough from my family," Cale said.

"I am not here for that."

Cale looked at him. Choi Han was making a pained expression. He didn't understand why he was making that face.

"Cale, are you okay?" Choi Han asked as he approached the redhead.

Choi Han was seemingly gleaming under the moonlight's glow.

"Yes, I am fine now," Cale responded with a smile.

Cale sat on his bed, preparing himself to sleep when Choi Han immediately appeared in front of him and kneeled. This surprises Cale, he really thought Choi Han would revert to his first timeline attitude towards him—cold and ruthless.

"Cale, can you tell me what is going on?" Choi Han asked as he took Cale's hand and clasped it in his.

"What is there to know?" Cale asked, trying to remain calm and collected.

"A lot of things have changed. I know you are involved in every single one of those," Choi Han answered.

"Oh, okay. I think you also deserve to know," Cale said. "But here, sit here beside me. It bothers me that you're kneeling here in front of me."

Cale patted the side of his bed, urging Choi Han to sit there. The black-haired did and Cale leaned on his headboard.

"Well, I did many things when I was going back in time. I think you got sent here as what I intended but another being meddled on my travels which messed up the timeline where I should go," Cale started.

Cale then told Choi Han everything. From his travels, who he encountered, what he saw, what he learned, what he did as soon as he got back, about his real identity. The only information he didn't share was his own future. Choi Han nodded in everything Cale told him. Without thinking much, the black haired found himself trying to comfort the redhead. He placed his hand on his shoulder as if he was giving the redhead a side hug. This surprised Cale but he never rejected it.

"You must've felt lonely all those years," Choi Han said in a sad tone.

"At first, I did feel lonely; however, this is the path I chose. This is the path I chose to tread on my own," Cale said with determination.

Choi Han held his hand, "You are not alone, Cale. I am here, you can rely on me."

"You already did a lot for me, for everyone. It is my turn to do my part. I am willing to share the burden I let you handle all alone."

Cale smiled warmly. He never expected Choi Han to say these things to him after regaining his memory.

"You really changed too, Choi Han," Cale commented.

"Didn't I tell you before? I will protect you. This time, it's real," Choi Han responded.

"Fufu, how reassuring to be protected by the Hero," Cale chuckled. "I feel like as long as you're here, I'll be alright."

"I feel the same way. It's reassuring to have you by my side, Cale," Choi Han said, looking straight at the redhead.

Cale just tightened his hold to Choi Han's hand in response.

"You might have forgotten this because you are too preoccupied with everything, but everyone is waiting for you. Everyone loves you and desires to protect you," Choi Han said. "Don't underestimate people's love towards you."

Cale felt warm towards those words. It has a different weight and feel. The Choi Han who basically ignored him and talked to him when needed, became the same Choi Han who paid attention to him this time.

Choi Han felt relaxed again after speaking with Cale. The redhead is currently sleeping beside him, without realizing he fell asleep as well.

** **

Morning came, Choi Han woke up first. He was surprised how Cale was basically hugging him in his sleep. Before he could move Cale away, the door swung open and the Count stood there frozen looking at him. It took a minute before the Count could compose himself, then he smiled.

"What is the hero Choi Han-nim doing in my son's chambers?" Deruth asked.

"Ah, we just talked. That's all," Choi Han responded.

Deruth could pop any veins any moment.

"Choi Han-nim, just what kind of talk does it require you to sleep on his bed?" Deruth asked again.

Choi Han couldn't understand why the Count was seemingly angry. The Count was certainly oozing bloodlust towards him. Sensing the danger, Cale fluttered his eyes open and he sluggishly got up.

"Dad, you're here," Cale said as he weakly tried to get off the bed which made him almost fall out of it. Luckily, Choi Han caught him in time.

"Thank—"

"CALE HENITUSE, I WANT YOU IN MY OFFICE NOW!" Deruth yelled and walked away. Cale flinched from the loudness of his father's voice. It was the first time his dad yelled at him.

"Ron, see to it that the hero will see himself out," Deruth heeded to Ron.

Choi Han was dragged out of the manor, he didn't know and understand why.

** **

Choi Han was someone who lived for a long time, though there were many things he didn't know of. Everyday was like a survival challenge for him, and he didn't have any time to think of anything else aside to stay alive. Like Cale, romance and the likes were out of his vocabulary and knowledge capacity. If you have lived long enough and struggled to survive every single day, you wouldn't have enough time thinking of something else.

Both Choi Han and Cale need to be taught some things before they could live and mingle with humans.

—TBC ...